Engine Operating Temperature
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 171
From: Simi Valley, CA
My bike never actuates the EITMS (approx 290 deg cyl head temp) with the parade fan running even on 100+ deg days regardless of how long I let it idle. And yes, the EITMS is enabled.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
With all due respect to everyone (and I mean that sincerely, not sarcastically), entirely too much time is wasted worrying about engine and oil temperature. With one or two exceptions on this forum, I ride more miles a year in more traffic than everyone else. I don't own (and will never own) an oil temperature gauge. I change the (synthetic) oil every 5,000 miles, regardless of how hot or cold out it is. In 40,000 miles of used oil analysis (done by Blackstone Labs), there has been utterly no indication of any issues with the oil or the engine.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 2
From: Northern Colorado
I agree with Train, too much paranoia over heat. These motors can take it, it's the oil that can't. Whether you're running 180° or 250°, dino or synthetic, as long as you change the oil when it needs to be changed your motor will be just fine!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 31
From: earth
Its all in what a person wants to achieve with their own ride, aint that what its all about, customizing these bike to our own preference. While true these air cooled powerplants can take about any heat a rider can tolerate, without experiencing catostrophic failure. No it isn't necessary but there is no denying there are lubrication, mechanical, performance, and rider comfort benefits to cooling. Niether side of the debate is wrong, just a different thought process and different goals. Just because someone has an oil cooler, parade, fan or a temp gauge, does not make them thermal hypochondriacs, paranoid, or hysterical, and just because someone doesn't have these things doesn't mean their mill will expire prematurely. I'll be the first to admit that in the past I've been pretty agressive at defending the pro-cooling side. I have significant knowledge and experience in this area, and I just can't sit by and say nothing while myths, half truths, and flat out lies are being posted about cooling. I do find it peculiar that folks who insist on building and tuning perfection to squeeze every ounce of TQ/HP, and then blatantly ignore the performance benefit of lowering operating temperature. Oh well, there's always PM, I'm pro-cooling and willing to have a productive discussion on the topic with anyone. Cool, don't cool, either way you aren't wrong, Peace.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
A cold front came through and it was 62 degrees. Put a fast 60 miles on the bike and when I stopped the oil temp read 175 degrees.
Again it is a TC96 with oil cooler, stock cams, stock compression and Cobra Fi2000R programmer.
Again it is a TC96 with oil cooler, stock cams, stock compression and Cobra Fi2000R programmer.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
Its all in what a person wants to achieve with their own ride, aint that what its all about, customizing these bike to our own preference. While true these air cooled powerplants can take about any heat a rider can tolerate, without experiencing catostrophic failure. No it isn't necessary but there is no denying there are lubrication, mechanical, performance, and rider comfort benefits to cooling. Niether side of the debate is wrong, just a different thought process and different goals. Just because someone has an oil cooler, parade, fan or a temp gauge, does not make them thermal hypochondriacs, paranoid, or hysterical, and just because someone doesn't have these things doesn't mean their mill will expire prematurely. I'll be the first to admit that in the past I've been pretty agressive at defending the pro-cooling side. I have significant knowledge and experience in this area, and I just can't sit by and say nothing while myths, half truths, and flat out lies are being posted about cooling. I do find it peculiar that folks who insist on building and tuning perfection to squeeze every ounce of TQ/HP, and then blatantly ignore the performance benefit of lowering operating temperature. Oh well, there's always PM, I'm pro-cooling and willing to have a productive discussion on the topic with anyone. Cool, don't cool, either way you aren't wrong, Peace.
Fact of the matter is that there are hundreds of thousands of stock bikes out there that aren't melting down. No one needs an oil cooler with a stock motor. With a good Stage One, you've corrected the VE tables, and there's no need for any additional cooling.
You start getting into high compression and sweating performance (which is flat-out silly on a Harley, but I'm as guilty as the next guy), then there's some logic in an oil cooler, but otherwise it's not a big deal.
Especially not for the typical 2,000 mile a year Harley rider. My Stage One FLHTK has sat in DC rush hour traffic at 105 degrees for 2 hours and nothing bad has happened.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
There aren't any.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 31
From: earth
While a cooler intake charge will generally make more power, there's just not much performance benefit from adding a parade fan. If you're talking about maximum performance, that's at speed, when the engine's being cooled by airflow. A fan does nothing for you then. I don't think an oil cooler's a bad idea. My Limited came with one, I added a Jagg 10-row to my high-compression Night Train.
Fact of the matter is that there are hundreds of thousands of stock bikes out there that aren't melting down. No one needs an oil cooler with a stock motor. With a good Stage One, you've corrected the VE tables, and there's no need for any additional cooling.
You start getting into high compression and sweating performance (which is flat-out silly on a Harley, but I'm as guilty as the next guy), then there's some logic in an oil cooler, but otherwise it's not a big deal.
Especially not for the typical 2,000 mile a year Harley rider. My Stage One FLHTK has sat in DC rush hour traffic at 105 degrees for 2 hours and nothing bad has happened.
Fact of the matter is that there are hundreds of thousands of stock bikes out there that aren't melting down. No one needs an oil cooler with a stock motor. With a good Stage One, you've corrected the VE tables, and there's no need for any additional cooling.
You start getting into high compression and sweating performance (which is flat-out silly on a Harley, but I'm as guilty as the next guy), then there's some logic in an oil cooler, but otherwise it's not a big deal.
Especially not for the typical 2,000 mile a year Harley rider. My Stage One FLHTK has sat in DC rush hour traffic at 105 degrees for 2 hours and nothing bad has happened.